THOMAS G. NORRIS
History of Arizona, 1893
The bulk of men who have legimately achieved success have been
men of courage, honesty of purpose, integrity and energy and
Thomas G. Norris certainly possesses those characteristics in
a marked degree. He is a product of Carroll County, Arkansas,
where he was born March 16, 1856, a son of Jonathan and Jane
(Cannon) Norris, who originally came from the old North State.
They took up their residence in Carroll County, Arkansas, in
the year 1830, and there the father turned his attention to
agricultural pursuits and made a good living for himself and
family up to the time of the opening of the Civil War. Their
home was situated in that section where the greatest
devastation was laid by both armies and when the great
struggle ceased, the family, consisting of the father,
mother and Thomas G. Norris, found themselves homeless and
penniless, their house destroyed by fire, their stock killed
or driven away and their land laid waste.
For some time thereafter they suffered many privations, but
with time their condition improved and they are now
comfortably situated. The father still resides in Carroll
County. He and his wife became the parents of fourteen
children, and the subject of this sketch received his
initiatory education in the schools of his native country.
The straightened condition of the financial affairs of the
family caused him to rely upon his own resources at an
early age, but he was determined to acquire a good education
and he entered the State University of Iowa where he began
the study of law, and was graduated from that department in
1883. Up to the time he was twenty one years of age Mr.
Norris had never had a suit of boughten clothes but wore
homespun made by his mother. He paid his own way while
going to school and during the five years that he pursued
his studies only $19 were paid out for board. He was put
on rations for months and was allowed only a certain
amount for bread, meat, etc. in payment for his services.
After graduating in law he entered upon the practice of his
profession at Berryville, Arkansas, where he remained for
about six months. He then 1884, decided to come to Arizona
and after a six months residence in St. Johns, apache County,
he removed to Flagstaff and formed a partnership with Col.
J.F. Wilson, which was dissolved after a few months. He
next became a member of the firm of Norris and Ellinwood
and continued such until the spring of 1893 when he came
to the city of Prescott and became associated in the
practice of his profession with J.C. Herndon, the firm
being known as Herndon and Norris. They constitute one of
the best known and ablest law firms in the territory and as
both as ambitious, with an ambition whose aim is worthy,
they will undoubtedly rise to distinction in adjusting the
difficulties of those around them.
Mr. Norris possesses an intimate knowledge of his profession,
has a decided liking for it, and although his labors are
arduous they are congenial. While residing in Arkansas he
announced his name for assessor of Carroll County, was
elected and ably filled the position for one term. In 1891
he was elected a member of the Constitutional Convention
from Coconino County, Arizona Territory and in the following
year was elected councilman-at-large for the Territory of
Arizona and was president of the council in 1893. He is a
Knight Templar in the Masonic fraternity, is a member of
the Mystic Shrine and is one of the active workers of the
order.
In 1883 he led to the marriage altar, Miss Nannie E.
Scarborough, of Berryville, Arkansas, but December 6, 1894,
was called upon to mourn her untimely death. She bore him
five children, four of whom are living: Mabel, Maud,
Herndon J., and William J.
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